There is a global age skew towards few older adults working from home or remotely, although this pattern varies by country. In the US and Germany, the distribution is bimodal, with the highest share of not working remotely being among the youngest and oldest workers. For workers in the UK and China, the picture is different, with a stronger skew against older workers working remotely.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online workers who worked from home in the prior 30 days by age group and country. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0111_ywfh] in TUP Lenses: User Profile; Work/Life Balance
Early generations cling to Android tablets
The tablet market has been dominated by Apple’s iPads and a hodgepodge of Google Android tablets. There is a strong positive association between a user’s smartphone operating system and that of their tablets. Google Android tablets have their strongest share among German adults, especially those in earlier generations. Gen Z adults seem to have little appetite for Google Android tablets, even within Germany.
This MetaFAQ reports on the percentage of adult tablet users using a Google Android tablet, split by country and age generation. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0108_andt] in TUP Lenses: Tablets
Age influences printer use, although varies by country
Using a printer has a positive association with age; printer usage skews older across many countries, especially in the US and UK. One of the major factors is habit energy, as people with long experience continue to use their technology products and services in similar ways as they did in prior years. Younger adults who have grown up with mobile technology are accustomed to accessing documents and information with a device at hand, unlike the experience of older adults who have long relied on the printed word.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults that use a printer – employer-owned, home, or other – by country. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0103_agpr] in TUP Lenses: Printers; User Profile
Young Americans fully embrace MacBooks for the first time
Apple Mac laptops reach parity among Windows PCs among young Americans – Apple’s MacBooks have been squarley marketed towards younger adults for many years. Only in 2023 can it be said that Apple caught up to Windows, with Apple’s share of active users aged 18 to 24 having basically the same share as Microsoft’s. Apple’s growth has been taking place slowly and steadily since 2017.
This MetaFAQ reports on the percentage of adult notebook/laptop users using either an Apple or Windows notebook/laptop, detailed by age group and country. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0101_182t] in TUP Lenses: Devices; PCs; User Profile; Technology Ecosystems
Younger tech domination fading to growing number of seniors
One of the fastest growing populations online, especially in the US, are adults aged 55 and up. This group exceeds 81 million Americans in 2023, up from 63 million in 2017–growth of more than 25%.
This MetaFAQs reports on the number and percentage of online adults that are aged 55 and over in the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1230_sent] in TUP Lenses: User Profile
Apple’s uneven global reach among youth
Apple has a history of marketing towards younger people or those aspiring to have a more youthful image. That has borne fruit, as demonstrated by the higher penetration rates of Apple products and services. Apple’s line of Macintosh computers acquired with personal funds for home use has higher penetration rates among younger adults than among older ones. However, this pattern is not true across all countries surveyed.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults using an Apple home computer within age groups in the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1227_yapl] in TUP Lenses: PCs; User Profile; Technology Ecosystems
Gameplayers shift platforms, drifting from consoles and PCs
Playing games is a regular activity for around half of online adults in the US, Germany, the UK, and Japan, a practice that has remained relatively steady since 2021. What has changed is the play platform of choice, as smartphones grow in favor while PCs and game consoles diminish. While Gen Z leads in gameplaying activity, the Boomer/Silent generations have increased their fun behavior, especially with smartphones.
This MetaFAQ reports on the percentage of online adults who regularly play games using a game console, smartphone, PC, gaming PC, or other connected device from 2021 through 2023. This information is split into generational age groups among Americans. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1227_gamt] in TUP Lenses: Mobile Phones; User Profile; Activities; Game Consoles, Gaming PCs, and Game-Playing
Smartwatch valleys and peaks
Smartwatches are an important product category in their own right and also a barometer for a complete picture of the active breadth of technology ecosystems. Smartwatches, primarily from Apple or using the Android environment, form a sizable market share, in active use by one-ninth to one-fourth of online adults in the US, Germany, the UK, and Japan. Gen Z and millennial adults are leading their use. The Boomer/Silent generations have a small but quickly growing share. Looking ahead, purchase plans are not substantial, although they describe a reasonable replacement market.
This MetaFAQs reports on the market penetration of smartwatches, split by generational age group, Apple and Android, and country. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1218_wret] in TUP Lenses: Consumer Electronics; Technology Ecosystems; Wearables, Hearables, Listening, and Speaking
iPhones are strongest among younger adults in most countries
Apple’s continued emphasis on a youthful market continues to bear fruit. The highest penetration of Apple iPhones is among adults aged 18 to 24 across all countries surveyed. This is especially notable in Germany, where Google Android phones have dominated the market for many years. Conversely, iPhones have much lower penetration rates among adults aged 50 and up, except in the US, where rates among older adults are only somewhat lower than average.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults using an Apple iPhone split by age group and country. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1217_ipho] in TUP Lenses: Mobile Phones; User Profile; Technology Ecosystems
No generation is saving PCs
PC usage has declined substantially since 2017 based on the number of weekly hours users use computers. Although there has been a very slight uptick among adults in Japan and the UK, hours have dropped for most of the years from 2017 through 2023.
Millennials have maintained the highest hourly usage rates, with Gen X not far behind, although these generational groups have also substantially lowered their usage.
This MetaFAQ reports the average weekly hours online adults use PCs, including any home-owner, employer-provided, self-employer, public, or other computers for 2017 through 2023. The results are split by generational age group and country. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1217_milt] in TUP Lenses: PCs; User Profile